Followers

Indi Blogger Rank

Thanks Pra

Thanks LuAnn Morgan

Thanks Juhi

Polka Dots which are loved across the world. Though ancient, the world definitely went "dotty" back in the 50s and 60s for polka dots. Now they are back really big (or small). Have we ever wondered where the name for these dramatic dots came from? It is believed that it came from the Polish polka dance. They were a big hit and a common pattern on clothing in mid to late 19th century at the same time polka music and the dance were invented. Dots and the dance became all the rage and, consequently, we have the name, Polka, coming from the Polish word "pulka," meaning half-step, as in the dance. Polka dot is a pattern consisting of a series of dots that are equally spaced and sized. The 50s and 60s people, and designers, took these wonderful dots to heart.

The 'liberated' clothes of the West had been a part of India's teenagers for years but Hindi film"Bobby" elevated the definitions of style bringing middle class hip ness to a new level making youthful sexiness and rebellious looks daringly acceptable. Dimple Kapadia's character, the film's heroine Bobby with her short chintz minis, checks, polka-dots, and flowing scarves all created fads that swept the nation in the era of 70's. In India Polka Dots are even know as Bobby Dots. The lovely Zeenat in film Qurabani with polka-dotted two-piece with a prominently plunging neckline, till bold and beautiful Kareen Kapoor Polka Dots have been loved by all beauties of Bollywood.

An extremely powerful emotion is love, a sense of strong affection. Since a very long time ago, people have searched for the meaning of love. But even the great philosophers, with their profound definitions, could not fully touch its true essence. My experience of life taught me some meanings of love.

• Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.• Love is when mummy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.• Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day• If you love someone, let them go. If they return to you, it was meant to be. If they don't, their love was never yours• Love is like a violin. The music may stop now and then, but the strings remain forever.• When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.• Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs• Love is when your father tastes the apple from the corner before giving it to his daughter.• Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, and then he wears it everyday.• Love is not you find. Love is something that finds you.• You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.• The couple that fights the most is the one most in love... it shows they care enough to notice the other one screwed up and care enough to mention it to the person so they can fix it. When you stop fighting it means you stopped caring.• Give two red roses to your beloved, each with a note. The first note says for the woman I love and the second, for my best friend.• Some say love is life, but love without hope and faith is an agonizing death

"Indian Cuisine" really includes dozens of distinct regional styles of cooking, there are certain spices that we associate specifically with Indian food. Spices do more than just flavor foods. In the Ayurvedic tradition, spices also balance and heal the body ; food is a big part of the healing arts. Spices and herbs have been used by our ancestors for centuries for their medicinal qualities as well as for their culinary enhancements. Researchers continue to study the healing properties that can be offered by these natural remedies.

Some commonly known benefits of Indian spices are:

Turmeric –The bright yellow of the spic rainbow not only gives a lovely colour to the dish it is also an antibacterial agent. It is used in a wide variety of skin creams, used as a healing agent for cuts & wounds that’s why ‘Haldi Wala Milk’ is popular as a home remedy in India. Indian systems of medicine uses turmeric as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions, including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic.

Red Chilli Powder- Chili powder is regularly used in traditional Indian cuisine. Chilli powder has many beneficial properties, making it an important part in Ayurvedic medicines to fight many diseases, destroys harmful toxins and stimulates gastric juices that help in digesting food. It also helps in clearing nasal congestion, relieves throat infection, and acts as painkiller in muscle spasms.Asafoetida or Hing (asafetida) also spelled asafetida, heeng -The herbal plant called the asafoetida is native to Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, in Asia - this herb is a perennial plant. Ancient Romans preferred the asafoetida as a flavoring agent above all other herbs, despite the unlikely nickname of devil’s dung given to the herb. Ayurvedic system the herbal remedy is used in the treatment of colic; it is also used in the treatment of spasms in the bowel, and for the treatment of spasmodic coughing arising as a result of whooping cough, complications due to pneumonia. It’s an excellent remedy for digestive disorders.Fenugreek Seed (methi seeds) – Another important ingredient of Indian cooking used both as a spice and for medicinal purposes. A very effective remedy for diabetes also it acts as a natural conditioner for hair.Methi ke Laddo are widely recommended to diabetic patients. Fenugreek is now being used to increase the milk production in many nursing mothers. It is widely used in pickles in Asia.Cummin Seeds (Jeera) - Jeera, an integral part of Indian cooking, has numerous benefits. It not only enhances taste of different curries but also has medicinal qualities. It helps to build appetite that’s why Jal Jeera is popular in India. Cumin is effective in relieving sleeplessness, morning sickness, indigestion. An interesting folktale associated with cumin seeds, a happy life awaited the bride and groom who carried cumin seed throughout the wedding ceremony.Whatever I have described about Indian spices is the tip of iceberg..A lot many spices are used in Indian cooking.And every spice has some medicinal property.

Fresh & refreshing raw mango drink gives you a cooling effect & protects you from heat waves in summers. Made from Green Mangoes and it is used as a tasty and healthy beverage to fight against the intense Indian summer heat.

Category Side dish Region All of India Also Called Several names (depending upon the region)Descriptive English Name Raw Mango DrinkServed With main courseCooking Time 20-25 MinServings – 3-4 Glasses

Boil Mangoes until it becomes soft. Drain the water and remove the skin. Squeeze out the pulp from the seed and strain. Add cold water to the pulp until you obtain a thin consistency. Add all ingredients & serve chilled by adding ice cubes.

Smart tipsBoil Mangoes in pressure cooker or in a covered utensil to retain its nutrients.

Category Side dish Region All of India Also Called Several names (depending upon the region)Descriptive English Name Mango chutneyServed Hot parthas, snacks & a side dish with main courseCooking Time 5-6 Min

Colors hold an important part in Indian culture. From bright colorful clothes to beautiful and creative paintings, pottery and handicrafts. From mouth watering Indian cuisines to the seasons and festivals, it all reflects the distinctive and rich culture and colorful spirit of the people of India. Style of home decoration is called Rangoli with Vibrant colors. It's an art form practiced by the Indians since ages. Rangoli is basically floor painting using colored sand, flowers, clay lamps or rice. Rangoli can be wall art as well as floor art but generally its done on the floor at the entrance of the house as welcome for the guest. The art form holds great religious significance. It also enhances the beauty of the surroundings and spreads joy and happiness all around. It is made extensively during the Festival of Lights, Diwali to welcome Goddess of Wealth ‘Lakshmi’.It is an expression of hospitality for the guest. The term rangoli is derived from words rang (color) and aavalli ('colored creepers' or 'row of colors').Rangoli resembles the art of Sand Painting. Sand painting is practiced by Native Americans in the Southwestern United States, by Tibetan monks, by Indians, Australian Aborigines, and some are known to be made by Latin Americans on certain Christian holy daysThere are many folktales about the origin of the traditional art of rangoli in India. One such story traces its history to a legend recorded in the Chitralakshana, the earliest Indian treatise on painting. Long ago, the son of a renowned king's priest died. Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, requested the king to make a painting of the boy so that he could turn him alive again. This is how the first rangoli was made. Another popular story is that God, in one of his creative episodes, extracted the juice from one of the mango trees as paint, and drew the figure of a woman so beautiful that it put the heavenly maidens to shame.

Traditionally natural dyes like bark of trees, leaves, flower petals and turmeric powder were used to prepare. However, today, synthetic dyes are used in a range of bright colors. The motifs in traditional Rangoli are usually taken from Nature - peacocks, swans, mango, flowers, creepers, etc. The designs are symbolic and common to the entire country, and can include geometrical patterns, with lines, dots, squares, circles, triangles; the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch shell, footprints (supposed to be of goddess Lakshmi), creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals. As a Rangoli is created through sprinkling powder by hand it is a very laborious and difficult process and requires lot of patience & of course creativity.

Rangoli is known by different names in different parts of the country; Alpana in Bengal, Aripana in Bihar, Madana in Rajasthan, Rangoli in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh and Kolam in Kerala and Tamilnadu, Muggu in Andhrapradesh.

There is hardly any Indian woman whose wardrobe does not include Banarsi sarees. Even the trousseau of a bride is incomplete without this much-coveted possession and rarely fails to flatter a woman, making her feel delicate and feminine. Banarasi Saree holds a unique status in the world of fashion also. These beautiful & traditional Banarsi sarees comes from the land of Varanasi (Kashi) , the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".Benaras or Varanasi has the pride of being the one of the most famous Handloom centers in the entire world. In fact it is among the few centers in the world that has painstakingly preserved the ancient tradition of hand weaving.

This tradition is very old and none can rightly predict the date when it was first started in Benaras. But it has continued to be passed down from one generation to another and continues to flourish. The weavers are mainly Muslim and are known as 'Karigars' that means artist. The Mughal era was the time when the fame and recognition of Banarsi silk sarees of India reached its pinnacle. Even the motifs underwent a change and the sari saw new designs, resulting from the combination of Indian and Persian patterns.

Created in eye-catching shades and pattern, the Banarasi sarees of India are so famous today that they are exported all over the world. There are following four basic varieties of Banarasi silk sari: • Pure Silk Saree (Katan) • Organza Saree (Kora), with Zari And Silk• Georgette Saree• Shattir SareeWeaved on the power loom, normally three people are required to make one Varanasi sari. Each Banarasi silk sari can take 15 days to six months to complete depending upon the intricacy of the designs. Typically, three weavers are involved in the creation of the saree. One of them weaves the saree, while the second one is engaged at the revolving ring, where bundles are created. The traditional Banarasi sarees are basically made of pure and fine silk that used to be imported from China. Of late the fine silk comes from South India mainly from Bangalore. Traditional designs include; chameli (Jasmine), panna hazar (Thousand emeralds), genda buti (marigold flower), paan buti (betel nut leaf), tircha (diagonal stripes) or the sought after konia or a corner-motif with a mango buta or flower. At the commencement period of Banarasi sarees, the artisans used to embellish the sarees with threads made of original gold and silver and were used by the people of royal families. The designs were elaborate and intricate as they were the royal attires. Gradually, the zari and simple threads that resemble the original gold and silver threads came into reputation. The artisans started creating motifs and designs out of those threads and it was easy for the common people to afford the royal and traditional Banarasi sarees. The Banarasi saree apparel is also exported all over the world.

Banarasi sarees are no doubt expensive due to its material, thread, design and meticulous labor involved but even then it is a must have possession for every Indian woman.

Holland is a country with a rich historical and traditional heritage. The Dutch themselves are very traditional people. Holland would not be Holland without the famous tulips, windmills, cheese and wooden shoes. Wooden clogs are considered by many as a form of Dutch traditional dress. Many think that all Dutch people wear clogs, which is why Dutch are sometimes called ‘cloggies’. But that's not right! Only a "few" people in Holland wear wooden shoes, about 5000, maybe more, maybe less, so only a small part of the population. And almost all the people wearing wooden shoes are farmers or people in a nursery. In Dutch, clogs are known as klompen. Dutch wooden shoes are famous all over the world and wearing them will make you stand out from any crowd! The Dutch have been wearing them for over 700 years and millions of farmers, children, artisans, working people and gardeners still wear them every day, keeping up a beautiful tradition!Clog means a type of shoe or sandal made predominantly out of wood. Nowadays, "clogs" also means comfortable slip-on shoes. They are associated with the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden (though Swedish clogs do not resemble Dutch clogs)

Some features of wooden shoes are:• Cheap footwear. • Wooden shoes are easy to clean.• Wooden shoes are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.• Wooden shoes are safe; they protect the entire foot, not just the toes.• Wooden shoes keep your feet dry, for instance when you're gardening. The wood absorbs perspiration and your feet are always surrounded by fresh air inside the wooden shoes. That's why wooden shoes are worn by thousands of construction workers, farmers, fishermen, road workers, factory workers and artisans all around the world.• There are also a lot of people who wear wooden shoes because you can get in and out of them easily without wasting a lot of time.• The orthopedic form wooden shoes support your feet.• They make an excellent gift or souvenir and they are great for garden and home decoration!• You can even decorate your garden and home with these fascinating clogs.• Due to them being made of solid wood, Dutch clogs have been given rating which passed the EU CE standards with flying colors.

A bindi is an auspicious mark or a forehead decoration worn by young girls and women in South and south East Asia particularly India. Hindus attach great importance to this ornamental mark on the forehead between the two eyebrows -- a spot considered a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. It denotes the woman's married status in most of the North Indian communities but in South India it is a prerogative of all girls to wear a bindi. Bindi is derived from the Sanskrit word bindu meaning a drop, a dot.

The area between the eyebrows, the sixth chakra known as the 'ajna' meaning 'command', is the seat of concealed wisdom. It is the centre point wherein all experience is gathered in total concentration. As per the followers of Tantrism this chakra is the exit point for kundalini energy. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. It is a symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune and festivity. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration and to protect the lady and her family from demons or misfortune. Traditional bindi is red or maroon in color. A pinch of vermilion powder or Sindoor, kumkum is applied skillfully with practiced fingertip make the perfect red dot. Red color represents Shakti or strength in Hindu religion. There are many mythological stories related to Bindi.

Not only women in India wear Bindi , the bridegroom's make-up is incomplete without the TILAK. Some Western women, who have converted to Hinduism, such as in the Hare Krishna’s, also wear bindis. Sometimes they are worn as a style statement. International celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Shakira, Madonna, Nina Hagen, Nelly Furtado, and Shania Twain have been seen wearing bindis. Ancient Chinese women wore similar marks (for purely decorative purposes) since the second century.

In present times, though bindis have undergone a major transformation and are available in intricate designs and patterns, traditional bindi designs have still managed to retain their magical charm. It has become a decorative item and is no longer restricted in color or shape. Self-adhesive bindis (also known as sticker bindis) are available, usually made of felt or thin metal and adhesive on the other side. These are simple to apply, disposable substitutes for older tilak bindis.

In India Bindi is known by various names in different parts of the country. Tikli in Marathi, Pottu in tamil & Malayalam, Tilak in Hindi, Chandlo in Gujarati, Bottu or Tilakam (in Telugu), Teep in Bengali.

Credit for this Blog goes to my dear friend Sumita who provided me all the details pertaining to this product.

Herbalife is a premier Nutrition and Weight management Company. With offices in 70 countries and millions of satisfied customers across the globe, Herbalife is the leader in making life healthier. Herbalife has developed the best Weight Management, targeted nutrition, energy and fitness, child development and personal care products. Bringing great minds together, our internal science team and Nutrition Advisory Board, made up of distinguished doctors and leading experts in the fields of health and nutrition, are the guiding force behind our innovative products.The main concept of our nutritional program is Cellular Nutrition. Through Cellular Nutrition, healthy nutrients help nourish our cells with our exclusive blends of nutrients that provide vitamins, antioxidants and minerals to support cell function. In this way, our products deliver healthy nutrition to cells throughout the body. No matter what your health goal, achieving it is as easy as….1,2,3!! The products are not only healthy, they are tasty too. Our core three products are formulated to enhance the effects of our entire line of products-1. Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix- A nutritional meal with vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients. Protein and healthy fiber support weight loss2. Formula 2 Multivitamin & Herbal Tablets- Support your immune system and compliments nutrition available from Formula 13. Formula 3 Personalized Protein Powder- Helps build and maintain lean muscle mass and satisfies your hunger

Apart from these there are many more products and each has its unique role to play. The program for each individual is customized. Many Bollywood Celebs have also been benefitted by these products- Karan Johar, Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Kajol- to name a few.For more details, please visit- www.herbalife.com or contact Sumita Sharma (New Delhi,India) +91-9873436734

Category Side dish Region All of India Also Called Several names (depending upon the region)Descriptive English Name Deep fried ChilliesServed Hot parthas, snacks & a side dish with main courseCooking Time 5-6 MinIngredients

Toe rings worn as a symbol of married state by Hindu women and is called bichiya (pronounced: bee-chee-ya) in Hindi.Toe Rings or Bichiya are considered to be symbolic of married woman, Hindu religion prohibits unmarried girls from wearing Bichiya. Even in present times, girls refrain from wearing toe-rings before marriage. Bichiya is put in brides toe at the time of marriage generally by a married female or even by bridegroom in some traditions.

These toe rings are considered as one of the ‘solah-singars’ for the bride i.e. it is among one of the listed sixteen adornments of any Indian bride. As per the vedic times, these were carefully laid down for every part of body. Irrespective of class or economic status, these items of person grooming can be fashioned out of wood, glass, fresh flowers or precious jewels. Toe rings along with anklets were amongst the shringars to help women adorn their feet.

Earlier toe rings were not preferably made out of gold, the reason being that gold is considered as a respected status among Hindus and any gold ornaments cannot be worn below the waist. In present times though, this tradition is not followed very strictly and women can be seen wearing toe rings made of gold and diamonds. The toe rings are usually adjustable type and are available in a variety of designs with myriad motifs ranging from paisley, to fish to flowers. A single set contains two toe rings, one for each foot. With age, designs and patterns of toe-rings have changed but it's relevance in the Hindu society has not altered. Even today these are very much a part of the bride's jewelry.

Toe rings is also known as Mettelu in Telgu,Metti in Tamil,Bichwa in Bihar Uttarpradesh and Chutki in some parts of the country.

This is a truly memorable natural wildlife experience. At sunset witness hundreds of Little Penguins even known as Fairy Penguins waddle ashore onto the island’s Summerland Beach and pose for the visitors along the way! The Penguin Parade is located on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia, only 140 kilometers south-east of Melbourne. It is part of Phillip Island Nature Park. The area is a reserve designed to protect and promote awareness of Little Penguins. This delightful event is commonly known as the "penguin parade".

The Parade is open every day of the year. The best time to visit is at sunset/dusk if you wish to see the actual "penguin parade". This is when the penguins cross Summerland Beach to return to their sand-dune burrows. After a day fishing for food in the waters surrounding Phillip Island, the penguins make their way across Summerland Beach in groups. This delightful event is commonly known as the "penguin parade". This unique "parade" can be experienced from environmentally friendly observation boardwalks and viewing stands.

Visitors can see these little Penguins from 2m. You then get to walk along with them - or rather on boardwalks above them - and watch them toddle and squawk to find their burrows in the dunes. The Penguins are protected. So not to disturb them, you are not allowed to take pictures of them. The Little Penguins are the smallest penguin species in the world and only 33cm tall. They has dark feathers are not black but a deep, rich blue. Their color camouflages them from above and below the surface of the ocean. It is an unbelievable sight. Penguins are fantastic swimmers but it’s quite a struggle for them to waddle across the sand dunes. Many pause, look around. Some older ones struggle, others squabble…

Sindoor is a red powder (Vermilion), which is traditionally applied at the beginning or completely along the parting-line of a woman’s hair (also called mang) or as a dot on the forehead. Sindoor is the mark of a married woman in Hinduism. Sindoor is not just used by the womenfolk of India. Even men, boys, girls and little children apply a dot of this powder on their forehead when they visit a temple or attend some religious function. Kumkum or Sindoor is considered to be very auspicious by Indians and thus, used for various purposes on special occasions like wedding and festivals.

As per the Indian belief, red is the color of power. Vermilion is thus a symbol of the female energy of Parvati and Sati. Sati is believed to be the ideal wife, one who gave her life for her husbands’ honor. Every Hindu wife is supposed to emulate her. It is believed that Parvati protects all those men whose wives apply vermilion to their parting of hair. Sindoor is applied for the first time to a Hindu woman during the marriage ceremony when the bridegroom himself adorns her with it. As per Hindu customs, she is supposed to cease wearing Sindur only after the demise of her husband.

Traditional authentic Kumkum of India is made by grinding the dried turmeric to a powder. A few drops of lime are then added to this yellow powder, which changes its hue to a bright red. In earlier times, women preferred to prepare Kumkum at home. Now, most of them buy the ready made Sindur from the market. A traditional component of the sindoor is powdered red lead and other ingredients are alum and turmeric.

A dream nurtured by common man or middle class (aam admi) fulfilled by Mr Ratan Tata is nothing but the cheapest car of India ‘NANO’.Six years after promising Indians a car that meets both their aspirations and budgets, Tata group chairman Mr. Ratan Tata on 23 March 2009 dedicated the little Nano to the country. When Tata Motors had first presented the concept of a Rs 1 Lakh((roughly $2,500) car, many scoffed that it was unachievable. Yet it has been done. The dream car is finally unleashed to roam free on Indian roads. Advertised as "the world’s cheapest car", the Nano is a no-frills automobile designed by Tata to be affordable to millions who commute on 2-wheelers carrying a family of 4-6!!

Its journey from Singur to Gujarat was ever be remembered by the people. Even after much protests in West Bengal, the car project is finally completed and was ready to hit the Indian roads.The project would had started its production of Nano cars from its Singur plant. But due to the protest the Nano project was moved from Singur, West Bengal to Gujarat.

The car is the culmination of about five years of research and input from designers across the world. But it is definitely a step ahead in innovation, right from using aerospace adhesives instead of welding, a clean and efficient fuel-burning technology to the concept, distribution strategy and marketing, and has succeeded in catching the attention of the world. Nano is a two-cylinder driven car with an Engine capacity of 625 CC and a power of 33 BHP. The little wonder can travel up to 20 to 25 km per liter of petrol. The maximum speed it can cruise is 90 Km. Small it may look albeit; it has not compromised on road safety. Nano has passed the necessary rigors of testing such as the 'Full Frontal Crash', a test that determines the impact bearing strength of a car. It has complied with Euro-4 emission norms for environmental qualification tests, which establishes that the car has undergone conventional checks required to ensure a smooth and safe plying on the roads.

India is densely-populated, and the current road conditions, narrow lanes, and lack of traffic control, and the dearth of parking structures may be on a rise if the streets get flooded with these cars, now the challenge rests with the government to widen the roads and provide proper infrastructure facilities for an efficient and safe plying of cars in general. This issue comes to the fore, since the fleet of cars will suddenly increase on roads due to advent of cheaper cars. On the other hand, necessity is the mother of invention, so this might give rise to more infrastructure opportunities and new businesses! It will surely be a safer bet for those families of 6 who risk their lives traveling long distances on a motor-bike!!

The world is full of beautiful people and you are one of them. To look beautiful, you don’t need trendy clothes, designer handbags and stylish accessories, heavy cosmetics all you need is to give your body and your mind a little tender love and care.

Its true ‘Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

Here are some things you can do to remind yourself that you're already beautiful.

• When you look in the mirror, smile and stand up straighter. Remember smile is an expensive way to change your looks• ‘Taking joy in living is woman’s best cosmetic’• Exercise! It makes you feel better about yourself as well as gives you more energy.• Try & spend some time in the whole day to do in what you are good at. For example if you are good at craft then do some craft work.• Making your surroundings beautiful, whether this mean decorating your room with fresh flower or writing positive quotes at places where you are bound to see in your home very often.• Remind everyday yourself that you are important.• Having good character is important to feel beautiful on the inside, if you make someone feel good, chances are, and you’ll feel good too!• Wear the proper attire for different climates/weather. Fashion can be bought but style one must possess.• Your life is what you make of it. If you make yourself out to be beautiful, then that's the way you live your life, so live you life to the fullest, most beautiful way possible, and that's the way you will feel!• Treat yourself if not daily at least once in a week, Watch a movie, read a good book, go for a walk along the beach.• Try and find personal characteristics that you are proud of…• Have proper hygiene so you can have pride in your health that means you need to take good care of your body!• Beauty is the promise of happiness.• ‘Beauty - in projection and perceiving - is 99.9% attitude.’

Mangal means auspicious, sutra can be deciphered as a thread and these two words combine and make a single word Mangalsutra. Mangalsutra is one such symbol of marriage. It is not just a jewelry item it has lots of significance to an Indian married woman. It is a sacred thread of love and goodwill worn by married women as a symbol of their marriage. An inevitable part of Hindu marriage ceremony, Mangalsutra refers to a revered symbol of wedlock. India being a land of diversity different regions of the country have assigned different names.

Mangalsutra is the token of dignity and love given to a bride by her groom. On the wedding day, the groom ties the Mangalsutra around the neck of the bride, while the priest recites Vedic hymns and prays. Its very similar to wedding ring in western culture.It is also the symbol of union of two different people, i.e. the husband and wife. It can also be considered as the husband’s promise to his wife to live together.

Talking about the appearance, this sacred thread is made of two strings of small black beads with a locket or pendant. The small black beads are inserted in the Mangalsutra to protect the couple from the evil powers. Now-a-days, the trend of wearing Mangalsutra is changing. The form of the holy Sting is also changing. Instead of long golden sting women prefer to wear shorter ones. The pendants are also changing from golden to Diamond. With fast paced development, Mangalsutra has also become a fashion statement. Women now go for exclusive designs and are ready to experiment. Soap operas on the television which have significantly contributed in making Mangalsutra a fashion statement.

In spite of so many changes in the look and design of Mangalsutra, the significance and essence of it in the Indian Marriages remains unchanged.

Balika Vadhu is TV show currently being broadcast on Colors TV in India.It is based on the set in rural Rajasthan,narrates a story of a child bride or Balika Vadhu ‘Anandi', having being married at a tender age of eight years with an equally young Jagdish. After her marriage the ‘Balika Vadhu’ enters a new alienating and confusing world. She is taken away from a life where she should be enjoying her childhood to that of a bride in a family of strangers. Here she has to act like a daughter in law, a wife, a lover and a friend.

A very sensitively portrays the plight of children who are unwittingly forced into marriage, in the name of tradition, and have to bear the repercussions for the rest of their lives. Traces the arduous journey of child bride Anandi from the brink of childhood to womanhood. Balika Vadhu, a serial based on social evils like child-marriage has emerged as one of the biggest winners on small screen. It’s realistic as well as sincere effort in materializing out this unexplored facade of our society. This serial is not aimed to eradicate the very practice by condemning and criticizing it, instead the intent was for the people to see the consequences of it. In Rajasthan, where child marriage still occurs, the audience gets to see the results in a very justified and clear manner.

Balika Vadhu makes you think and gives you plenty and plenty of reasons to bring about a much needed change in the Indian society.

• A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, or get the mail. A man will dress up for the following: weddings, funerals.

• Men like white hair because it shows their experience, women colors their hair to look young.

• Men are physically strong, women are mentally strong.

• Women finds aesthetics in everything, men are not able to understand the aesthetics.

• Men are the head of the family while women are the head of the household.

• Women love to go for shopping anytime, men avoids shopping as much as they can…

• A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he wants. Whereas a woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't want.

• If a woman is out driving, and she finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings, she will stop at a gas station and ask for directions Men consider this to be a sign of weakness. Men will never stop and ask for directions. Men will drive in a circle for hours, all the while saying things like, "Looks like I've found a new way to get there." and, "I know I'm in the general neighborhood. I recognize that 7-11 store."

About Me

Meghana

I am here to explore life.Simple and a God fearing person who wants to spread happiness around.I am an IT consultant by profession,working in SAP.
My friends say that I have a good acumen to present my thoughts.I love to help people with my knowledge and experiences in the field of career guidance,counseling on personal issues,baby care.
Thanks a lots for your valuable time.Your comments add value to my work.